Alert Governor Brown Now
Governor Brown is in the process of signing and vetoing bills before his October 15 deadline and could take action on any bill at any time.
Governor Brown has yet to take action on several bills that the California Catholic Conference is tracking, and it’s vital that he hears from you before he signs another bill with devastating consequences. In the same vein, there are several bills that would do tremendous good for children, California’s future and helping to curb human trafficking.
Two of the most important bills are:
· Urge Governor to Veto AB 569 – A Massive Overreach by NARAL – At the end of this session, lawmakers passed a bill that has the ability to retract protections of religious employers and make not only the employer but also the employees of religious organizations personally liable for “reproductive discrimination” in the workplace.
· Veto SB 743 – Yet More Special Treatment for Abortion Industry – In an unrelenting effort to promote abortion, California legislators now want to provide even more funding for abortion providers at a time when the state claims it cannot afford to pay for critical health care for the State’s vulnerable population.
Please take action on these and other bills now. Be a voice for life and dignity in California.
October is Respect Life Month
The Respect Life Program, sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, started in 1972 and is celebrated each October.
This year’s theme is “Be Not Afraid.” Being a voice and advocate for life can bring painful and difficult challenges, but acting to protect life in all of its stages is always the right choice.
The program promotes respect for human life in light of our intrinsic dignity as having been created in God’s image and likeness and called to an eternal destiny with him.
New materials are designed each year to assist those in various roles within the Church to help Catholics understand, value, and become engaged with supporting the dignity of every person, especially by cherishing God’s gift of life.
There is an abundance of materials and resources available including homily helps, intercessions, flyers, images and much more.
#ShareTheJourney Resources Available
This week, Pope Francis, in collaboration with Caritas Internationalis launched the #ShareTheJourney campaign, a two-year campaign aimed at bringing awareness and empathy to the hardships endured by refugees and migrants around the world.
Aligning with Pope Francis’ ‘culture of encounter,’ Catholic agencies are mobilizing in more than 160 countries to look at the causes of migration, to bust myths about migrants and to bring migrants and communities closer together. In the United States, Catholic Relief Services and Catholic Charities USA will be the primary promoters of the campaign.
There are a number of resources available to assist in shepherding the walk with #ShareTheJourney including:
· Videos about migrants and refugees,
· Prayers for migrants and refugees, activities
· Reflections about the migration and refugee crisis
· Resources in Spanish
We also ask that you take a quick moment to write to Congress and the President and urge them to stand with refugees. This refugee and migration crisis is not going to go away or solve itself. To actively reflect Christ, we must stand in partnership with our migrant brothers and sisters to ensure they are cared for and safe.
Disaster Response Aid Critical to Catholic Relief Efforts
The number of natural disasters in the lower United States, Mexico and Caribbean nations has left millions trying to figure out how to restore their shattered lives, in some cases without even the basic necessities.
There are a number of ways you can help assist in bringing critical relief to these people are areas. Below are links to several disaster response teams that are actively participating in recovery efforts in these areas. While all are noble causes, the important thing is that you do contribute. As Jesus said, “whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ (Mt 25:40).
· Catholic Charities USA Hurricane Disaster Response
· Florida Catholic Conference Hurricane Irma Response
· Catholic Relief Services Hurricane Relief
U.S. Bishops Welcome Bipartisan Bill that Seeks Climate Solutions
Bishop Frank J. Dewane and Bishop Oscar Cantú voiced their support for the Climate Solutions Commission Act of 2017, a bill that would establish a bipartisan National Climate Solutions Commission:
“This bill has the potential to inspire positive and concrete solutions towards protecting our common home,” said Bishops Dewane and Cantú. They urged legislators to support H.R. 2326, a bill introduced by Rep. John Delaney (D-MD) who is a member of the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus.
Public Policy Insights will publish every other week while the California Legislature is on recess. Follow us on social media or visit www.cacatholic.org, for more information as the Governor makes legislative decisions.
September 29, 2017
Vol. 10, No. 31